Manchester City are on the verge of completing a significant double signing ahead of the FIFA Club World Cup, with Wolverhampton Wanderers left-back Rayan Ait-Nouri and AC Milan midfielder Tijjani Reijnders both expected to join the Etihad Stadium squad imminently. The moves mark a major step in Pep Guardiola’s squad overhaul as City look to rebound from a trophyless season for the first time since 2016/17.
According to multiple reports emerging on Thursday, June 5, 2025, City have agreed terms with Wolves for the 23-year-old Algerian full-back, with a transfer fee estimated around £34-35 million, potentially rising with add-ons. The Algerian Football Federation has confirmed that Manchester City has granted permission for Ait-Nouri to leave the national team’s training camp on Friday to undergo a medical ahead of the move. This development signals that the deal is set to be finalized over the weekend.
Alongside Ait-Nouri, City have already struck an agreement with AC Milan for Dutch midfielder Tijjani Reijnders. The initial fee for Reijnders stands at €55 million (approximately £46 million), with add-ons potentially pushing the total to around €70 million (£59 million). This signing underlines City’s clear intent to strengthen their midfield options for the upcoming season and the Club World Cup campaign.
Rayan Ait-Nouri’s arrival is particularly notable given City’s long-standing need for a specialist left-back. Since Joao Cancelo’s departure to Bayern Munich in the 2022/23 season, City have often deployed centre-back Josko Gvardiol out of position on the left flank. Although Gvardiol has excelled in this role, his natural position remains at centre-back, and his shift back to central defense last season coincided with an upturn in City’s defensive solidity and their eventual qualification for the Champions League.
Former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson, speaking on Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, praised Ait-Nouri’s qualities and suitability for Guardiola’s system. "He’s a good player. He’s a really good player," Robinson said. "I’ve covered Wolves a lot this year. I really, really enjoyed watching him, I think, in an attacking sense as well. He’s the type of player that will fit into Pep’s system. He’s good defensively. He’s aggressive in the tackle, and defensively, he’s very clued up. His positional awareness is excellent." Robinson highlighted Ait-Nouri’s impressive contribution for Wolves last season, where he scored four goals and provided seven assists in 37 Premier League appearances, underlining his attacking threat from the full-back position.
Financially, the deal does present challenges for City. Robinson pointed out that City’s heavy spending in the January 2025 transfer window—exceeding £172 million on players such as Omar Marmoush, Abdukodir Khusanov, Vitor Reis, and Nico Gonzalez—might complicate their ability to “shell out” for a new full-back. Ait-Nouri’s contract with Wolves runs until June 2026, with a one-year club option, meaning Wolves are in a strong position to demand a substantial fee. Wolves initially paid under £10 million for Ait-Nouri, so a fee in the £50-60 million range would represent a significant profit for the Midlands club, but one that Robinson believes would be justified given the player’s quality and potential impact at City.
City’s scouting department has tracked Ait-Nouri since he was 17 years old, monitoring his development since his days at Angers SCO before he moved to Wolves. As the club prepares for the Club World Cup starting June 14 in the United States, securing Ait-Nouri’s signature would fill a crucial gap in Guardiola’s squad, providing a natural left-back option to complement the team’s tactical setup.
In addition to Ait-Nouri and Reijnders, Manchester City are also pursuing Lyon attacking midfielder Rayan Cherki, with negotiations ongoing and hopes to complete his signing before the initial transfer deadline on June 10, 2025. Cherki’s arrival would further bolster City’s creative midfield options as they aim to reclaim silverware quickly after missing out on major trophies last season.
The Club World Cup group stage will see City face Moroccan side Wydad AC and Emirati club Al Ain before a high-profile clash with Juventus. Chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak has promised "swift" transfer business to give Guardiola the best possible squad for the tournament and beyond.
However, the influx of new signings may also signal the end of the road for some established players. England winger Jack Grealish, City’s record signing at £100 million from Aston Villa in 2021, is reportedly set to be excluded from Guardiola’s 35-man squad for the Club World Cup, suggesting his future at the club could be in doubt amid the squad reshuffle.
As Manchester City prepares for this critical summer phase, the imminent arrivals of Rayan Ait-Nouri and Tijjani Reijnders represent key moves in refreshing the squad and addressing specific positional needs. The club’s ability to finalize these deals despite recent heavy spending will be a test of their financial strategy and ambition.
With the medical for Ait-Nouri scheduled for June 6 and the transfer expected to be completed over the weekend, City fans will be keenly watching for official announcements. Meanwhile, the clock ticks down to the Club World Cup kickoff on June 14, where these new signings could make their debut and set the tone for a new chapter in Manchester City’s pursuit of global football dominance.
